Residential Care Home facilities near Topeka, KS

Care Homes in Topeka, KS

Residential care homes — sometimes called care homes, board and care homes, group homes, or personal care homes — are often houses in residential neighborhoods that are adapted, equipped, and staffed to care for a small number of residents, usually 10 or less. Similar to assisted living but in a smaller, more residential setting, these homes provide supervision, organized events, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). This means care homes can help with everyday routines but typically do not provide 24-hour skilled nursing assistance.

In the state of Kansas, the median monthly cost for a room in a care home is about $5,500. However, the cost of living in a care home depends largely on location. Since the homes are private residences, costs are tied to real estate value and therefore may vary greatly.

A Place for Mom’s local Senior Living Advisors can help you find the right residential care home in Topeka for you or your loved one.

Cost of Living in Topeka, KS

Located near the Kansas River, Topeka is the capital city of the state of Kansas, and its cost of living is lower than most other large U.S. cities. All index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.

Cost-of-living index	Grocery index	Median rent	Rent burden	Median home value	Median family income	Estate tax
83	93	$813	15.5% spend over 30% of their income on rent	$100,074	$46,087	None

Local Medical Providers

The Topeka region has several highly-rated hospitals, and the following are often ranked among the best in the area:

• University of Kansas Hospital - St. Francis Campus - This 264-bed facility holds an advanced certification for primary stroke care from the American Heart Association. In addition to these recognized services, other specialties include joint replacement, neurology, and diabetes treatment. The hospital also offers a home care program.
• Newton Medical Center - Named one of the best rural hospital facilities in the country, Newton Medical Center is often recognized for providing care related to bone health and fragility. This hospital provides home care for eligible patients.

Climate and Weather

The climate of Topeka, KS is considered hot-summer/humid continental. Residents can expect four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold winters. On average, the humidity level for Topeka is about 70%. This number often peaks in June, at around 72% humidity.

Seasonal Temperatures

Average summer temp	Typical summer high	Typical summer low	Average winter temp	Typical winter high	Typical winter low
79°F	93°F (July)	65°F (July)	34°F	49°F (February)	19°F (January)

Air Quality

Average air quality index rating	Average maximum air quality index rating
44 (Good)	52 in December (Moderate)

Moderate conditions mean that those who are sensitive to particulates in the air should consider limiting the amount of time they spend on outdoor exertion.

Precipitation

Average monthly precipitation	Average maximum monthly precipitation	Average yearly snowfall
3”	6” (May)	16”

Demographics and Values

Topeka tends to lean slightly conservative. Although a majority of the city’s residents voted for Republican candidates in the last five presidential elections, Republicans won this majority by less than 10 percent. State, county, and city governments employ a fourth of all workers in Topeka, as the city is home to the Kansas Statehouse. Manufacturing, construction, and retail trades also stand out as major industries. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Frito-Lay, Inc., and Hallmark Cards all have distribution plants in the city. BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas, a health insurance company, is headquartered in Topeka.

Topeka, KS has a significant Hispanic and Latino population. Residents founded El Centro de Topeka, which empowers the community through crucial resources. The Community Resource Program strives to bridge the gap for residents with limited English comprehension, and employs a fully-bilingual staff. The Mobile Health Clinic, a partner of the Washburn School of Nursing, aims to make healthcare more accessible and transparent for this population. Additionally, the Latino Leadership Collective amplifies Latino voices in business, and advocates for high-level representation across the city’s leading companies.

Topeka proudly showcases the city’s Black history as well. The state made history as the site of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which ruled that “separate but equal” policies violated the U.S. Constitution. The city preserves Monroe Elementary School, which integrated due to this decision, as a commemorative museum.

2016 Presidential Election Results for Shawnee County

Voted Democratic	Voted Republican	Voted Third Party
44.2%	46.8%	9.0%

Population Statistics

Population metro area	Population city proper	Population density	Population trend
232,594	148,960	795 people per square mile	Shrinking at a rate of 0.50% since 2010

Age

Median	55+	60+	70+	80+
37	29%	12%	6%	5%

Highest Level of Education

High-school diploma	College degree	Graduate degree
31%	28%	11%

Race & Ethnicity

Asian	Black	Hispanic	Native American	Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian	White	Two or more
1.7%	10.6%	15%	1%	0.1%	68.3%	4.9%

Crime

Total crimes	Property crimes per 1,000 citizens	Violent crimes per 1,000 citizens
7,326	52	6

Miscellaneous

Unemployed	Participate in the labor force	Have some form of disability	Live in poverty	Widows	Veterans
6%	63%	16%	17%	7%	10%

Topeka is not considered friendly to members of the LGBTQ+ community. This means that members of the LGBTQ+ community may face discrimination in certain parts of the city. The Human Rights Campaign scored Topeka a zero out of 30 on its index for non-discrimination laws. The city does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing or employment. In spite of this, there is some support in the area. Equality House, which has made headlines for its location directly across from Westboro Baptist Church, is an LGBTQ+ resource center and a strong visual testament to LGBTQ+ pride. PFLAG, a national body of affirming support groups for LGBTQ+ youths and parents, also has a chapter in Topeka.

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

Topeka’s rich museum scene will appeal to fans of history and politics. Tourists and residents can glimpse the role and process of state politics and legislature with guided tours of the Kansas State Capitol Visitor Center. The Kansas Museum of History traces state events and figures from the prehistoric age to the present, with exhibits on Native American tribal culture, the Oregon and Santa Fe trails, and the state’s impact in the Civil War. The Combat Air Museum, Museum of Kansas National Guard, and Holley Museum of Military History all contain war relics, machinery, and tributes. Seniors receive discounts at many of these institutions.

The Topeka Zoo, located in Gage Park, regularly ranks as one of the city’s most popular attractions. More than 250 animals live in the zoo, which also houses an indoor tropical rain forest. Fishers, kayakers, or anyone looking to enjoy the water will appreciate Topeka’s access to both Shawnee Lake and Kaw River.

Transportation

Topeka Metro runs 14 fixed routes on weekdays and 12 on Saturdays. The Flex, a general, direct-to-destination transit service, gives rides weekdays from 5:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., which passengers must call to schedule. Seniors, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and Medicare cardholders are all eligible for fare discounts.